BG42 vs ATS34 for Custom Shop 110?

[Stainz]

I am about to order another Custom Shop 110. What are the pro's and cons re the BG-42 vs ATS34 choice? I am happy with my one BG-42, but still don't have an ATS34 to compare it to. Thanks!

Stainz

 

[RAZORBLADES]

Sharpness and edge retention are close,but the ats-34 rusts really bad in my experience,its the worst rusting steel i've ever used.I keep my blades clean and find that even a day in the pocket out hunting will make the blades rust up noticably.

 

[flatgrinder]

Very similar. BG-42 takes a better edge in my opinion and wear resistance is better. As for corrosion resistance, both should be excellent if heat treated properly.

 

[chickentrax]

Sharpness and edge retention are close,but the ats-34 rusts really bad in my experience,its the worst rusting steel i've ever used.I keep my blades clean and find that even a day in the pocket out hunting will make the blades rust up noticably.

Is yours a Buck 110??? He's talking Custom Shop 110. If you can, could you post some pics of that rusty Buck??? I have a 110 in ATS-34 and haven't noticed any rusting...but I don't really carry it in a wet soggy pocket with blood on it...

 

[puukkoman]

I've got a 1986 112, which I believe is ATS-34 (someone correct me if I'm wrong...), and a couple other knives (older Spydercos & Benchmades) in ATS-34 as well. Never noticed any rusting, pitting, or even discoloration, and some of them have seen some nasty conditions for long periods.
In my experience, ATS-34 performs similarly to 154CM. It takes a great edge, holds it well, and tends to roll instead of chipping. It's one of my favorite stainless steels. Might even be my absolute favorite stainless. I've used S30V pretty extensively, too, and find that it chips too easily for my taste.
Haven't tried any BG-42 yet, though.

 

[JTR357]

Sharpness and edge retention are close,but the ats-34 rusts really bad in my experience,its the worst rusting steel i've ever used.I keep my blades clean and find that even a day in the pocket out hunting will make the blades rust up noticably.

I have quite a few ATS-34 blades & not a one has shown any signs of rust in the field.Never had any experience with BG-42,though I'd like to try it.

 

[rifon2]

ATS-34 is excellent steel, but I like BG-42 even better.

 

[1gailt]

I have a smooth buffalo horn custom shop 110 ats34 and its still as nice and shiny as the day it was born,as are are my BG42 custom shop 110's.

 

[tholiver]

I also am contemplating purchasing a custom shop 110 sometime this year.
The edge holding ability of both types of steel is well known and i would not be that worried about that particular aspect.
But for me a proclivity towards chipping or brittleness would be a deal-breaker.
So to those who know which type would be more chip prone, ATS-34 or BG-42?

 

[Guyon]

Love 'em both, but go BG-42!

 

[RAZORBLADES]

Is yours a Buck 110??? He's talking Custom Shop 110. If you can, could you post some pics of that rusty Buck??? I have a 110 in ATS-34 and haven't noticed any rusting...but I don't really carry it in a wet soggy pocket with blood on it...

No,my ats-34 isn't a custom shop 110 its a 880 strider,I assume its the same ats-34 used for custom shop 110's.It will show spots of rust on a daily basis ,it forms rather quickly ,even after repeated cleaning and treating with a tuff-cloth ,the rust doesn't take too long to come back.

With my bg-42 110's I do not have this problem,maybe its the salt air here in Nova-Scotia?,that the ats-34 doesn't like.If you like i can try and get some pics of what the ats looks like after just a couple days carry.

My vote still goes to bg-42.:thumbup:

 

[samhain73]

The 880 does rust pretty easy, but only because its bead blasted. Polished like the 110, no problem.
Oh, BG-42 for me!

 

[Guntotin_fool]

+ATS is my favorite steel, tough, stays sharp and touches up easy. I like it better than 154 in my old odyssey's

 

[110 Dave]

in desending order:
s30v
cpm154
bg42
420hc
440c
butter knife
ats34
naw jest kidding ..
i do like bg42 a tad better then 154 and
ats 34 is better then a butter knife..

 

[allenC]

I think that I like Buck's ATS-34 alittle better than their BG-42.
I'm able to get their ATS-34 just a tad sharper.

The S30V is very nice too.

 

[Wandering_About]

For what it's worth, I bought a Buck Alpha folder in ATS-34 a few years back. I've abused that knife pretty bad before I knew better (hammering it through 10/3 with ground UF cable was one of the best). It never rusted, broke, or chipped. The spine has some nice marks from the hammer, but the knife still functions well. It's mostly been put into storage now, as I prefer my slimmer and lighter Spydercos for daily carry, but can't complain about the way the Alpha worked. The only complaints I've had about it were that it doesn't get as sharp as I would like a knife to be and the liner lock is a little iffy at times. I've never had a knife in BG-42, so cannot comment on it or how it holds up. But hopefully this gives you an idea of what a good ATS-34 blade can stand.

 

[tricker]

in desending order:
s30v
cpm154
bg42
420hc
440c
butter knife
ats34
naw jest kidding ..
i do like bg42 a tad better then 154 and
ats 34 is better then a butter knife..

i have always heard ats 34= 154cm in almost every respect except vanduim: but, even though i know bg-42 is more coveted:jerkit: i will take ats cause its easier for me to sharpen

> 154-CM is the original American version. ATS-34 is a Hitachi product that is very, very similar to 154-CPM, both are premium high quality stainless. Normally hardened to around 60 Rc, it holds an edge very well and is tough even at that high hardness. Not quite as rust resistant as the 400 series above. Many custom makers use ATS-34, and Spyderco and Benchmade are among the production companies that used to use it in high-end blades.

 

[rhino]

I've owned several knives (not Bucks) made of ATS-34. Every one of them was a disappointment. They all felt "gummy" when trying to sharpen them, and none would take the kind of edge I can get on a blade made from humble AUS-8A. I suspect that none of them had a proper heat treatment (too soft), which would not be a problem with a Buck.

I have owned exactly one knife with a BG-42 blade, my trusty Buck 110 that I had blade-swapped when it was still available. This knife has been a pleasure to own, use, and maintain. I can get it hair-popping sharp without a lot of effort. I would not hesitate to get another just like it if I needed it.

Given my own experience, I would go with BG-42 over ATS-34 without a second thought.

 

[gd526]

Hey Folks!
I will let you in on a little secret.....psst....ats-34 is a high-quality stainless steel but a very vital reason it is used on premium knives is very simple.........ssshhhhhh...... it takes a mirror polish like very few other stainless 'top-drawer' steels. It is resistant to galling and tool-stutter when compared to the other stainless types as well!

Dave

 

[wh4f]

I love these threads! This debate about blade steel has been going on since the dawn of knifemaking... Most of my Bucks (users) are ATS-34. That and S30V. I sold my only BG knife... It just depends on what a person really likes. I love my 420HC Bucks for ease of sharpening. But I love the edge retention of the ATS34 (154CM)
It also gets super sharp! I have never had any problems with ats or 154cm. Bucks heat treat is top notch!